Grades 6–8
Informational, Media
VideosKAIDEN GRIGGS has nimble fingers, which he uses to cautiously craft works of writing. He also uses his fingers to play the piano, an instrument he is quite seasoned in. He hopes that his works of art can open people’s eyes to the truth about the fragile food market we participate in.
Congratulations to 826 Digital Writers’ Showcase Finalist, Kaiden Griggs! Watch his video and see the lesson below to practice identifying the central idea and supporting details in an informational text. Read more about Kaiden and the other finalists at www.826national.org/826-digital-writers-showcase-2023-finalists.
What’s the Central Idea?
In this lesson, students will determine the central idea of a Mentor Text, The Egg Dozen Dilemma, and analyze how it is conveyed through particular details. Then, you will write an objective summary of the Mentor Text that is free of judgment and personal opinion.
STEP 1
First, watch the video and follow along with the Mentor Text on the What’s the Central Idea? — Handout, pages 1-3. When you’re done, answer this question in your writing journal: “What is the central idea of the Mentor Text? Use your own words to describe it in 1-2 sentences.”
STEP 2
Next, reread the Mentor Text and underline 4-6 key details that support the central idea you identified above. These are the facts and quotations that you think are the most important. Write your answers on page 4 of the handout.
STEP 3
Use your own words to write a full summary of the information presented in the Mentor Text. Your summary should include the key details you identified, and it should be objective and free from judgment or personal opinion. Below are two example sentences that show the difference between an objective sentence and a subjective sentence, which utilizes personal opinion. These sentences could be included in a summary about Pi(e) Day, which is a day of celebration acknowledged in the U.S. :
Before you write your summary, answer this question in your writing journal: “What are the differences in the sentences above?” After you answer that question, write your summary of the Mentor Text on page 5. If you need more space to complete your objective summary, continue in your writing journal.
by 826 National
Award-winning documentarian and journalist,Soledad O'Brien, shares about why she loves her job and how she builds credibility out in the field through thorough research.
by Charlotte Yeung
Midwest Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador, Charlotte Yeung, shares one of her favorite brainstorming strategies for creating a new piece.
by 826 National, featuring Isaac Reynolds, Grade 6
What’s the moral of the story? In this lesson, students practice identifying and summarizing a moral in a fable written by a sixth grader.
by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8
In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.
by 826 National
Author Carter Higgins reads "Pickup Lines Cheesier Than Cheddar," a piece written by fifth-grader Uma (826NYC).
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a character and show how a character would respond in a specific situation by writing dialogue, resulting in a silly scene.
by 826 National, featuring Soeun Lee, Grade 8, NJ
In this lesson, you will create poems that look completely different from poems you have written before!
by Amanda Dettmann, 826NYC
Poet and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amanda Dettmann, shares a simple and fun writing prompt that asks the question, "How Did You Get There?"
by 826 National
Author Tom Perrotta reads "Peter, Who Went on the Best Adventure Ever." In this lesson, you will learn about 3 shapes that will help the events of your story unfold naturally.
by 826 National
Author and illustrator Lisa Brown reads "Owl Girl. In this lesson, you will write a superhero story that introduces your character and establishes the context for your reader.
by Emily Harding
Author and TV producer, Emily Harding shows side characters some love in this writing prompt.
by Daniel Handler
Author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, shows there are no limits to imagination with this interviewing activity.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.
by Jason Reynolds
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora was an undocumented immigrant when he was a student. Now, he invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.
by Sarah Richman, 826DC
Writer and staffer at 826DC, Sarah Richman, shares an original writing prompt that will help you get aquainted with your new characters.
by 826 National, featuring Eloise Combs, Grade 3, Michigan
Not all poems have to rhyme, but when they do, they generally use “rhyme scheme.” In this lesson, students will write a poem with a unique sound and rhyme scheme.
by Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children, illustrates how to end a story...or not.
bookmark
download